Gaiwan 蓋碗

An essential tool for the ritual of traditional Chinese tea making- Consisting of a bowl, a lid, and at times, a saucer, the gaiwan is where the infusion of many types of tea leaves take place. Unlike a teapot, the gaiwan is a smaller vessel which brews tea in multiple steepings, filters out leaves with its lid, and takes some practice.

During the Ming Dynasty, tea was brewed and sipped directly from the gaiwan, and its versatility in function has allowed for the rise in use of the tool in tea ceremonies and practices.